Stave tonguing and grooving machine



E. F. BEUGLER.

STAI/E TNGUING A`ND GROOVING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I9I5. 1 1 95,962 Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

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E. F. BEUGLER.

SVTAVE TONGUING AND GROOVING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR- 7. I9I5.

Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

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E. F. BEUGLER.

STAVE TONGUING AND GROOVlNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 7. I9I5.

1,1 95,962. PaIenIedAug. 29,1916.

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E. F.BEUGLER.

sTAvE ToNGulNG AND GnoovlNQ MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1915.

Patented Aug.' 29, 1916,

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN F. BEUGLER, OF BUFFALO, NEI/V YORK, ASSIGNOR TO E. & B. HOLMES MACHINERY COMPANY, 0F BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

STAVE TONGUING AND GROOVING MACHINE.

Application filed April 7, 1915.

To ZZ Qin/mm t may concern Be it known that I, EDWIN F. BnUGLnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Stavo Tonguing and Grooving liachines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a machine for producing tongues and grooves on opposite longitudinal edges of barrel staves for the purpose of permitting adjacent staves of a barrel to be interlocked and thereby not only render the barrel tighter and stronger but also cause a weak stave in a barrel to be supported by two adjacent strong staves so that the barrel is prevented from leaking. Barrels made up of staves of this character are more particularly designed for packing flour, cement and other granular material which often requires such barrels to be lined on the imier side with paper or the like in order to avoid leakage.

It is the purposel of this invention to provide a machine which permits of produc ing such sta-ves expeditiously, economically, uniformly and ready to be assembled for making tight barrels.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a. top plan view of the stave tonguing and grooving machine constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof viewed from the right hand side of the machine. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the machine. Fig. -l is a fragmentary vertical transverse section, on an enlarged scale, taken in line l l, Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken in line 5 5, Fig. Q, looking forwardly. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view, on an enlarged scale, and show ing the second cutter' mechanism which preferably produces the groove in cach stave and the means for feeding and guiding the stave past this cutter mechanism. Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on line 7 7, Fig. G. Figs. and 9 are vertical sections taken in lines 8 9, in Figs. G and 7, Fig. 8 being taken on this line looking toward the left and Fig. 9 being taken on this line looking toward the right. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 10-10, Fig. l. F ig. l1 is a frag- Speccaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 29, 19.1.6.

Serial No. 19,675.

views of the two members of the clutch be-` tween the stave feeding and reversing mechanism and the driving mechanism. Fig. l5 is a. fragmentary longitudinal section of one of the carrying arms and the spring retained carrying finger associated therewith.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

This tonguing and grooving machine may be employed for producing a tongue and groove on opposite longitudinal edges of staves of various shapes according to the contour of the barrel or package which is to be produced, for instance, the same may be organized for producing a stave l which is tapered toward its opposite ends and provided with a tongue or rib 2 on one of its longitudinal edges and a groove or channel 8 in its opposite longitudinal edge, as shown in Fig. 12, so that upon assembling an annular row of such staves and interlocking the complementary grooves and tongues of adjacent staves the body of a barrel or package will be produced which tapers from its bulging central part toward opposite ends thereof.

In its general organization this machine comprises supply means for feeding the staves one at a time in proper order to the machine, al primary cutter mechanism which operates on one of the longitudinal edges of each stave for producing one of the complementary interlocking surfaces thereon, a secondary cutter mechanism which operates on the other longitudinal edge of cach stave for producing the other complementary interlocking surface thereon, an edge-for-edge reversing mechanism whereby the staves are successively taken from the primary cutter mechanism and reversed preparatory to being operated on by the secondary cutter mechanism, and an ejector mechanism which takes the finished stave from this secondary cutter mechanism and discharges the same from the machine upon the door, a receptacle or elsewhere.

l represents the main frame of the machine which may be of any suitable censtruction to support the various working parts.

ln its preferred form the supply mechanism which feeds the staves successively to the machine comprises two endless feed or carrying belts 5, 6 which are arranged side by side and which have their upper operative stretches arranged to travel in upwardly inclined paths and pass with their receiving turns around lower front receiving wheels 7 and with their delivery turns around rear upper delivery wheels S, said front wheels being mounted upon a front shaft 9 which is journaled in suitable bearings on the adjacent part of the frame while the rear wheels 7 are mounted on a rear shaft l0 which is also mounted in suitable bearings on the main frame. rlhese belts are preferably of the chain type and the front and rear wheels 7, 8 are preferably constructed in the form of sprocket wheels so that these belts are driven positively without slipping. One of these belts, preferably the left hand belt 6, when viewed from the front of the machine passes with its return or inoperative stretch directly back from the underside of its companion rear wheel S to the underside of its companion front wheel 7, but the other belt 5 on the right hand side of the machine is preferably utilized as part of the means for propelling` both of these belts by turning the wheels about which they pass and for this reason this right hand belt instead of passing directly from its rear supporting wheel 8 to the front supporting wheel 7 thereof extends down fardly `from said rear supporting wheel around a driving sprocket wheel l1 arranged in the lower part of the machine and thence backwardly to the companion front wheel t3, as shown in Fig. 2. The driving sprocket wheel l1 is mounted on a horizontal counter shaft l2 which is journaled in suitable bearings in the lower part of the machine and receives its motion from the prime mover of the machine preferably by the means which will be hereinafter described. rlhe upper operative stretches of the feeding belts G pass over two longitudinal inclined guide rails or bars 13 which rise from their depressed front ends toward their elevated rear ends7 each of these rails being preferably constructed in the form of a channel having its concave side facing' upwardly so that the operative stretch of the companion fcedingbelt runs in the groove, channel or guideway of the respective guide rail. The two guide rails may be supported in any suitable manner but preferably by means of brackets 1l, 141-, mounted on the adjacent parts of the main frame and connected with the front and rear ends of these rails. At suitable intervals each of these feeding belts is provided with outwardly projecting carrying wings or fin gers l5 the corresponding wings of both feeding belts being arranged transversely in line while moving with the operative stretches of these belts, so that upon placing a stave transversely upon `the receiving ends of the guide rails the next following pair of propelling wings of these belts will engage the rear longitudinal edge of this stave and move the same foi ,va1'dly and upwardly along the guide rails toward the celivery ends thereof.

ln the manufacture of staves one end of the staves as they come from the factory is usually somewhat wider than the opposite ends of the same, and as the result of this difference in width of opposite ends of the staves it is customary for a cooper whenv laying out a set of staves for a barrel. to re verse every alternate stave end for end and thusv compensate for this difference and cause the barrel which is produced by a set of staves of this character to be of substantially the same taper and diameter at opposite ends thereof. ln order to avoid the necessity of reversing the staves manually and enable the cooper to lay out a set of staves for a barrel immediately after the same are opera-ted on by this tonguing andgrooving machine means are provided; for effecting this end for end reversal automatically. rlhis automatic reversal .may be effe teil at any suitable time during the progi, of the stave through the machine but it is being fed by the feeding belts 5, G to the mechanism which subsequently operates upon the same for producing the interlocking grooves and tongues thereon. Although `his reversing mechanism may be practicallyl embodied in various forms the same is preferably organized, as shown in Figs. l, 2 and and as there shown the sa ne is constructed as follows: Arranged between the upper opeative stretches of the feeding belts is a carrier or cradle which is adapted to move upwardly into engagement with every alternate stave which is being moved over the rails by a pair of wings on the feeding belts and 'first lift this stave from these rails and the respective wings, then turn the same a half rotation so as to reverse the stave end for end, and then lower this stave again upon the rails in position to be engaged. by the same wings which irn'eviously engaged the same and then move downwardly out of engagement from this stave preparatory to operating in like manner on the second following stave. lVhile this carrier or cradle is supporting the stave free of the rails and carrying wings the same moves forwardly at the same rate as the belts, in order to be able to re-deposit the stave in engagement with the same pair of wings, and during the backward movement of this carrier the same is arranged below the path of the staves So preferably effected while the staves are as not to interfere with the forward propulsion of the staves above the same. In its preferred form this carrier, cradle or supporting member preferably comprises a horizontal bar 16 which is provided at its opposite ends with curved seats 17 so that the same has substantially the form of a double fork.

The rising and falling movement of the carrier for lifting the stave from the rails and carrying wings and re-depositing the same thereon is preferably effected by means of two parallel rotating crank arms 18, 1E) arranged one above the ot-her and so mounted that they are capable of rotating in a vertical plane parallel with the direction of movement of the carrying belts 5, G. The inner ends of these crank arms are mounted on upper and lower crank shafts 20, 21`

which are journaled in suitable bearings on the main frame and are caused to rotate in unison by means of a belt 2.2 preferably of the chain type passing around a driving sprocket pinion 23 on the counter shaft 12 and two like driven sprocket wheels 24, 25 mounted on said crank shafts. rPhe upper crank arm 1S is pivotally connected at its outer end by means of a pin 2G with an upper bearing sleeve 27 in which the central part of an upright rock shaft 2S is j ournaled which latter supports the carrier at its upper end by securing the cross bar of the same centrally on its underside to the upper end of this rock shaft. This rock shaft is held against vertical movement in the bearing sleeve 27 by means of a collar 29 secured to this shaft and engaging with the upper end of this bearing sleeve, and a gear pinion 30 secured to this shaft and engaging with the lower end of this bearing sleeve, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The outer end of the lower crank arm 19 is pivoted by means of a pin 31 to a lower bearing sleeve 32 in which the lower end of this rock shaft is journaled. As shown in Fig. 2 the stave carrier is arranged below the path of the stares and with its seats or forks arranged transversely of this path. As the crank arms 18, 19 are turned in the direction of the arrow in F 2 and make one complete rotation, this carrier is moved upwardly past the stave path and lifts the respective stave immediately above the same from the rails and the propelling Wings, then moves forwardly at the same rate as the feed belts G. then moves downwardly past the stave path and re-deposits the stave upon the rails in position to be engaged by the saine pair of feed wings. then returns back idly below the stave path to the place of beginning preparatory to operating upon the second following stave which is being fed by he feed belts 5, 6. While the stave is lifted from the rails and feeding belts the carrier is turned one-half a rotation for the purpose of reversing the respective stave end for end and while the carrier is disengaged from the stave and arranged below the path of the same, the carrier is turned back again one half a rotation preparatory to engaging the second following stave. This oscillating or rocking movement of the carrier is effected by means which comprise a rocking gear segment 34 engaging with the gear pinion 30 and pivoted by means of an upright pin 35 on a bracket 36 projecting laterally from the upper bearing sleeve 27, and an actuating arm 37 engaging pivotally and slidably with its outer end in a swivel opening 38 formed on a bracket 39 secured to the adjacent part of the main frame while the inner end of this actuating arm is constructed in the form of a fork and is pivoted by means of a pin 40 to the hub of the gear segment on diametrically opposite sides thereof, thereby producing a universal joint between this actuating arm and the gear segment, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. As the upper bearing sleeve 27 is carried in a circular path upwardly, forwardly over the upper crank shaft and downwardly and backwardly underneath this shaft, the gear segment and the inner part of the actuating arm are carried in the same direction while the outer end of the actuating arm is confined against bodily movement in this direction with the result that the latter is caused to turn in the opening of the bracket 39 and move through a path which is of substantially conical form and cause the inner end of the actuating arm and the segment to be rocked on the bracket 3G and the gear pinion 30 to be turned back and forth half a rotation. By this means the carrier which is operatively connected with this gear pinion is alternately rocked lirst half a turn in one direction and then back again half a turn in the opposite direction. The universal joint between the actuating arm and the gear segment permits these parts to describe this movement relatively to each other without causing any cramping of the parts. The relative timing of the mechanism which turns the upright rock shaft 2S about its axis together with the carrier and the mechanism which causes the same to move through its circular path in a vertical plane is such that the forward rotation of the carrier begins its effectiveness immediately after the carrier engages the underside of the stave and completes one half of a forward rotation by the time the carrier has again lowered the stave in a reversed position upon the rails in position to be rengaged by the carrying wings, and the reverse rotation of this shaft 2S and carrier begins immediately after the carrier moves downwardly away from the underside of the sta ve which has been reversed and completes a half-backward rotation by the time the same has been moved backwardly into a position where it is ready to rengage the second following stave. Each alternate stave which is fed to the machine by the carrying belts is by this means reversed end for end while the remaining staves which are fed are not reversed, so that the staves are delivered in the nished condition from the machine ready to be assembled for making barrels.

As the sta-ves arrive successively at the rear turns of the feeding belts where they pass downwardly around the delivery sprocket wheels d the same are discharged from these belts and drop by gravity through a downwardly and forwardly curved guideway one side of which is formed by the two upright brackets al which support the shaft of the rear wheels of the feeding belts while the other side thereof is formed by two guide bars 42 mounted on the adjacent part of the main frame. Upon reaching the lower end of this guideway each of the staves engages with a support which holds the stave in a substantially horizontal position and with its flat side arranged vertically. rllhis support preferably comprises two supporting ledges or shelves #13, itat, which are arranged on a line transversely of the direction of movement of the feeding belts and support the staves on their lower edges.

in the absence of any provision to prevent it the staves when discharged from the feeding belts and falling upon these guide shelves 43, ele-lf are liable to rebound and liccome displaced relatively to other parts which subsequently operate upon the saine. To prevent such rebound retaining roer-ns are provided which preferably comprise tw' vertically rotating brushes 45 the bristles of which are preferably metal and adapted to press eownwardly upon each of the slaves immediately after the same is delivered by the feeding belts uponthese shelves and then clear this stave preparatory to engaging with the next following one in like manner. rilhese retaining brushes are mounted on vertier lly rotating arms elo which are arranged below the delivery Wheels 8 and in front of the shelves 4:3, df-land are mounted on a horizontal shaft 4T which is journaled in suitable bearings on the adjacent part of the frame and rotated in a direction of the arrow S by means of a chain belt Li9 passing around sprocket wheels 50, 5l mounted on the counter shaft l2 and the shaft Ll', as shown in Figs. i, and 5. After a stave has been deposited upon these guide shelves the same is pushed in a direction parallel with the length of the stave but transversely to the direction of movement of the feeding mechanism, preferalily toward the left hand side thereof, as shown in the drawings, and presented to a primary cutter mechanism which operates to form the tongue on the longitudinal edge of the stave which at this time is lowermost. This cutter mechanism comprises a cutter head 52 rotating about a horizontal axis which is arranged at right angles to the stave while the latter is being cut and which is provided on its periphery with suitable cutters or blades 53 adapted to engage with the lower longitudinal edge of the stave andproduce the tongue thereon as the stave passes over this cutter head. rllhe latter is mounted at one end of a horizontal driving shaft 54 which is journaled in suitable bearings on the main frame of the machine and has power transmitted thereto in any suitable manner, for instance, by means of a pulley secured to the central part of the driving shaft and receiving a driving belt which is operated by a prime mover. In front and in rear of the cutter 'head are arranged the two sections 56, 57 of a supporting table which support the staves on opposite sides of the cutter head. lnasmuch as the longitudinal edges of the staves incline or curve from one end to the other it is necessary to so present the advancing end of the stave to the primary cutter head that the operation of forming a tenen on the stave commences at the advancing en d thereof and continues to perform this operation regularly and uniformly until the rear or trailing` end of the same is reached. in order to thus present the stave properly to the primary cutter head the rear shelf H- is arranged slightly higher than the companion front shelf Ali-5. as shown in Fig. l0, whereby the tta ve when resting thereon with its lower edgi4 will be caused to tip downwardly at its front end and thereby insure proper engagement of the front end of the lower edge of this stave with the primary cutter.

inasmuch as the curvature of the edges of the staves as well as the length thereof varies in accordance with the contour of the barrel which is to be made it is necessary to provide means for presenting the staves at different angles to the primary cutter and for this reason means are provided for adjusting the front and rear shelves t3, Vl-el vertically relatively to each other. The means which are shown in the drawings are suitable and comprise a downwardly projecting adjusting arm 58 arranged on each one of these shelves, an adjusting rod 59 projecting downwardly from the adjacent part of the main frame through an opening in the respective adjusting arm and provided with screw nuts 60, Gl engaging with the upper and lower sides of this adjusting arm, an adusting lug 62 projecting upwardly from this shelf and pro iided with a slot G3 and an adjusting screw (it on the adjacent ir-racket 42, and passing through the slot G3, as shown in Figs. 2, 10 and ll. Upon loosening the screws Gt and manipulating the screw nuts GO, 6l each of these shelves maybe raised or lowered as desired and then held in place by again tightening these screws and screw nuts.

The initial movement from the shelves 43, 44 to the primary cutter is produced by a primary transfer mechanism while the continued movement of the staves past this cutter and the discharge of the saine therefrom is effected by another feed mechanism which is arranged adjacent to this cutter. This primary transfer mechanism shifts each stave toward the primary cutter a sufficient extent to bring the same within range of the feed mechanism associated with this cutter and in its preferred form this transfer mechanism is constructed as follows: G5 represents a push or shifting finger which moves periodically lengthwise of the path of the staves from the position where they rest on the shelves 43, 44 to the primary cutter. ilfhile ay stave is being delivered by the feeding belts upon these shelves this finger is arranged in rear of the path of the staves, as

' shown in Fig. 1, and after the stave has been deposited upon these shelves this finger advances toward the primary cutter and its feed mechanism so that this finger engages with the iear or trailing end of the stave and carries the same forwardly sufficiently to bring the front end of this stave within the control of the feed mechanism of this cut ter which continues the movement of the stave past the primary cutter mechanism. After this finger has thus presented the stave to the primary cutter and its feeding mechanism the same moves backwardly again to its initial position out of the path of the staves preparatory to engaging the next one deposited upon the shelves. Various means may be provided for imparting this reciprocating movement 'to this finger, those shown in the drawings being suitable and comprisinga shifting bar or rod G6 slidable horizontally and lengthwise of the path of the staves on the shelves 43, 44 in front of the same and guided in a suitable bracket G7 on the adjacent part of the main frame and carrying this finger at its outer end.

GS represents a horizontal rock shaft journaled in the lower part of the main frame and provided with an upwardly projecting transmitting rock arm 69 which is connected at its upper end with the inner end of the shifting bar (3G. as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. This rock shaft is turned in the direction for moving the push finger 65 backwardly by means of a rotatable cam 70 engaging with an actuating arm 71 on the rock shaft G8 while the forward movement of this push finger is produced by means of a spring 72 connected at one end with the main frame and at its opposite end with the rock arm 721 arranged on said rock shaft, as shown in Fig. 3. By this means the push finger is always moved back positively while the forward movement .of the same is yielding so that if for any reason a stave should become stuck in the machine while being pushed forwardly by the finger, the latter by reason of its being moved forward only by the pressure of the spring 72 no parts will become broken.

The cam 7G is preferably mounted upon a horizontal cam shaft 73 which is 'journaled in the lower part of the main fra-me at right angles to the direction in which the staves are originally fed in the machine. This shaft may be driven in any suitable manner but preferably derives its motion from the main driving shaft 54 through the medium of an intermediate train of speed reducing mechanism which preferably comprises a belt 74 passing around a small pulley 7 5 ou the driving shaft and a large pulley 76 on the first intermediate shaft 77, another belt 78 passing around a small pulley 79 on the first intermediate shaft and a large pulley 8O on a second intermediate shaft 8l, a chain belt S2 passing around a small sprocket wheel 83 on the second intermediate shaft and a large sprocket wheel 84 on a third intermediate shaft 85, and a bevel gear pinion S6 mounted on the third intermediate shaft and meshing with a bevel gear wheel 87 on the longitudinal cam shaft 73, as shown in Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4.

Motion is transmitted from the cam shaft 73 to the counter shaft 12 by means of a chain belt 88 passing around a sprocket wheel 89 secured to the cam shaft and a sprocket wheel 90 mounted on this counter shaft. This last mentioned sprocket wheel is preferably so mounted on the counter shaft that the same will slip thereon in case the forward movement of the feeding belts 5, 6 or other parts associated therewith are prevented from moving forwardly by reason of a misplaced stave becoming jammed between this belt and the adjacent stationary parts or from any other cause. In its preferred form this slip connection between the sprocket wheel 90 and the counter shaft comprising a coupling or clutch collar 91 which is fixed on the counter shaft and provided with a V-shaped or tapering tooth 92 engaging` with a correspondingly shaped notch 93 in one end of the hub of the sprocket wheel 90 which latter is mounted loosely on the counter shaft 12, and a spring 94 surrounding the counter shaft between the opposite end of this sprocket wheel and a collar 95 on the counter shaft, as shown in Fig. 5. Under normal conditions the pressure of the spring 94 is sufficient to hold the sprocket wheel 90 with its notch in engagement ith the V-shaped tooth of the clutch collar and produce a driving connection between these parts for causing the supply feed belts 5, 6 to carry the staves to the primary transfer mechanism as well as operating the stave reversing mechanism and the stave retaining brushes 45, but if these parts encounter' unusual resistance by reason of a misplaced stave becoming caught in the working parts, the spring 94 will yield and permit the sprocket wheel 90 to be unlocked from the coupling collar 91 by the wedging action of the coperating inclined sides 0f the coupling tooth and notch, and thereby permit this sprocket wheel to rotate independently of the counter shaft, whereby injury or breakage of the machine, which otherwise would be liable to result, is avoid ed. The clutch collar is only provided with one tooth 92 and the hub of the clutch sprocket wheel with only one notch or recess so that when these parts are rengaged the mechanisms are properly timed relatively to each other to resume their normal operation.

As the front end of the stave reaches the upper operative part of the primary cutter head the same is pressed downwardly so as to further insure proper engagement of thecutter bladcs with the stave at the extreme front end of its lower longitudinal edge. This downward pressure may be effected by various means but preferably by a forwardly inclined presser arm 96 which is adapted to bear with its depressed lower front end against the upper longitudinal edge of the stave. At its upper rear end this presser arm is mounted to swing vertically on a horizontal pivot pin or pintle 97 which is arranged horizontally on the adjacent part of the main frame, said arm being yieldingly turned in the direction for depressing` its free front end by means of a spring 98 surrounding theJ pintle 97 and bearing at one end against the presser arm and at its opposite end against the pintle, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 10.

Upon reaching the primary cutter meehanism the stave is operated upon by the feed mechanism which feeds the stave throughout the entire length thereof to, from and beyond the primary cutter head. In its preferred form this cutter feed mechanism comprises two abutment rollers or wheels 99, 100 which are arranged on one side of the path of the staves in front and in rear of the center of the primary cutter head and two propelling wheels or rollers 101, 102 arn ranged on the opposite side of the path of the staiesand in front and in rear of the center of the primary cutter head, as shown in F ig. 1. l/Vhen the front end of a stave reaches a position immediately in front of the primary cutter head the same is gripped between the front abutment wheel 99 and propelling wheel 101 and advanced lengthwise over the primary cutter until the rear pair of abutment and propelling rollers or wheels 101, 102 also grasp this stave between them after which the combined effect of these wheels operates to move the stave throughoutits entire length past t-he prmary cutter and discharge the same forwardly therefrom so that the entire lower longitudinal edge of the stave has a tenen formed thereon while passing the primary cutter. rllhe two abutment wheels or rollers are preferably mounted by means of fixed hearings 103 on the adjacent part of the main frame but the two propelling wheels or rollers are mounted at the upper ends of upright driving shafts 104C, 105 which latter are j ournaled at their lower ends in fixed bearings 100, 107 on the main frame while their upper ends are journaled in bearings 10S, 109 which are mo Yable toward and from the fixed bearings of the abutment rollers and are yieldingly pressed toward the latter and the stave path so as to permit the propelling rollers to adjust themselves to the staves which are passing between the same and the abutment rollers and also adapt themselves to any variation in the thickness of the staves without affecting` the feeding operation of the same. For this purpose each of the upper bearings 10S, 109 is mounted on a rocking presser arm or lever 110 which is pivoted at one end on a stationary part of the frame while its opposite end is pressed toward the path of thestaves by means of a spring 111. This is preferably accomplished by pivoting the opposing inner ends of both pressure arms or levers 110 on the same vertical pin or pivot 112 which is carried by a bracket 113 on the adjacent part of the main frame and each of the presser springs 1.11 is mounted upon a horizontal presser rod 114 which is pivoted at one end to the outer end of one of the presser arms and slides at its opposite end in an abutment lug 115 mounted on the adjacent part of the main frame, said spring bearing at one end against a screw nut 110 on the companion rod and at its opposite end against the companion abutment lug 115, as shown in Fig. 1.

By tightening the screw nuts 110 more or less the pressure of the springs mav be increased or decreased as desired. At its outer end each of the presser rods 1141- is provided with adjusting screw nuts 117 which are adapted to bear against the outer side of the companion abutment lug and thereby limit the extent which the propelling rollers can approach the abutment rollers to suit the thickness of the particular stares which are being operated upon. The two propelling rollers are of the same diameter and are caused to rotate in unison and in the same direction by means of a belt 118 passing aroundcorresponding sprocket wheels 119, 120, secured to the lower ends of the shaft 104, 105, as shown in Fig. 10. Motion is transmitted to the propelling` rollers by means of a. bevel gear pinion 121 arranged at one end of the second intermediate shaft 81 and meshing with a bevel gear wheel 122 on the shaft 10st of the front propelling roller, as shown in Figs. 4 and 10.

ln addition to the presser arm 93 for holding the stave down so that its lower edge is engaged properly by the cutters of the primary cutter head, the feeding mechanism for this cutter is preferably so organized that it assists in this operation. For this purpose the shaft 101, the front propelling wheel 101- and the front abutment roller 99 are inclined slightly in a. vertical plane parallel with the surface of the table 5G, 57 and the path of travel of the staves as they pass the primary cutter so that the upper end of this shaft is slightly in advance of its lower end, as shov-:n in Fig. 10. This causes the opposing inner or operative sides of the periphery of the front propelling roller 101 and abutment roller 99 to incline downwardly and forwardly so that upon engaging with the opposing surfaces of the stave the latter will not only be advanced past the primary cutter but also pressed downwardly owing to the forward convergence of the line of movement of this stave and the plane of rotation of the front propelling wheel, 101, and abutment roller 99, thereby positively insuring holding the stave with its lower edge in the proper engagement with the primary cutter head and producing a uniform cutting of the tongue on the lower edge thereof throughout its entire length. The rear abutment roller 100 and rear propelling wheel 102 have their axes perpendicular to the surface of the table 5G, 57 and line of travel of the staves and therefore merely aid in propelling and guiding the staves past the primary cutter.

11s the sta-ve issues from the rear or discharging side of the abutment and pr pelling rollers the same is received upon a primary reversing support consisting preferably of a pair of front and rear shelves or ledges 123, 12st which are arranged substantially in horizontal alinement with the table sections 5G, 57, as shown in Fig. 10. r1`he stave is now lifted bodily from these shelves and reversed edge for edge preparatory to presenting the same to a secondary cutting mechanism which operates to fo m a longitudinal groove in the opposite longitudinal edge of the stave. This edge for edge reversing mechanism preferably comprises two curved reversing guideways 125, 126 of substantially semi-circular form which eX- tend from the two shelves 123, 124 upwardly and downwardly in a direction at right angles to the path of the staves while passing the primary cutter and terminate at their opposite lower ends over two shelves or ledges 127, 128 which form a secondary support and upon which the stave is adapted to rest in an upright position with its lower unfinished longitudinal edge which is now lowermost in engagement with the last mentioned shelves. Each of these curved guideways is preferably formed by inner and outer curved rods 129, 130 which are ai ranged eoncentrically and supported at their opposite ends on the adjacent ixed parts of the machine. The outer shelf 124 is preferably provided on opposite sides of the path of the staves as the same issue from the primary cutter with two upright guide arms or flanges 1211 which diverge or `flare toward the primary cutter, so that as the front ends of the staves approach this last mentioned snelf the advancing end of the stave will be guided over this shelf and into the receiving end of the outer curved guideway 126.

rlhe movement of the staves through ythe curved reversing guideways from the primary shelves 123,121 to the secondary shelves 12T, 12S for reversing the staves edge for edge is preferably effected by a` carrying mechanism which comprises a horizontal rock shaft 1311 arranged in line witlrthe axis of the curved guideways 125, 126 and journaled in suitable bearings on the adjacent part of the main frame, two rock arms 132 arranged adjacent to these guideways and secured with their inner ends to the rock shaft 1311 and two carrying fingers 133 mounted yieldingly on the outer ends of these rock arms. Each of these carrying fingers is pivoted between its ends on one of the rock arms 132 so that the outer end of this linger projects lengthwise beyond this arm and the inner end of each of these lingers is connected by means of a spring 1311; with the adjacent part of the companion rock arm for yieldingly holding lthe respective finger in a position in which its outer end projects outwardly in substantial alinement with the rock arm which carries the same. The operative surface of the outer end of each carrying finger is curved forl ward slightly so as to present a concave bearing face for engagement with the lower longitudinal edge of a stave which has been discharged from the primary cutter mechanism upon the primary shelves 1237 124. After the stave has been discharged by the primary cutter mechanism upon the primary shelves the caii'rying arms effect the last part of their backward movement so that the outer ends of their carrying fingers engage with this stave and are deflected thereby out of the path of the stave and then are proj ected underneath the lower edge of the same by means of the springs 13% during the last part of the backward movement of the carrying arms. vrlhe rock shaft 131 now is turned in the opposite direction, thereby causing the carrying arms to move forwardly one-halfI a turn, whereby the carrying fingers are caused to engage the lower edge of the stave resting on the primary shelves 123, 1241 and carry the same bodily through the curved guideways 125, 126 and deposit the with the upper tongued edge of the stave and hold the same downward in reliable engagement with the respective shelves but do not interfere with the forward longitudinal movement of the stave toward the secondary cutter mechanism. v

The secondary cutter mechanism is constructed substantially like the primary cutter mechanism excepting that its vertically rotating head 150 is provided on its periphery with cutters or blades 151 which are constructed to produce a longitudinal groove in the lower edge of the stave instead of a tongue. This secondary cutter head is mounted on the opposite end of the driving shaft 51 so that both cutter heads are turned in unison and at the same speed by the same driving mechanism, thereby materially simplifying the machine and reducing its cost of construction. In front and in rear of the secondary cutter head are arranged two sections 152, 153 of the supporting table over which the lower edge of the stave is adapted to slide during the operation of grooving the same.

Means are also provided for first transferring the stave from the edge for edge reversing mechanism to the secondary cutter mechanism and propelling means are also provided which take the stave from the secondary transferring mechanism and move the same to, from and beyond this cutter mechanism. This secondary transfer mechanism is constructed substantially like the primary tra-nsfer mechanism and comprises a horizontally reciprocating push or shifting finger 151 which is adapted to move lengthwise of the path of the staves on the way to the secondary cutter mechanism, a horizontally reciprocating shifting rod or bar 155 guided in a suitable way 156 on the main frame and carrying the secondary linger at its outer end, a rock shaft 157 journaled horizontally in the lower part of the main frame and provided at its outer end with an upright rock arm 158 which is connected at the inner end of the secondary shifting bar, a spring 159 connected at one end to the main frame and at its opposite end with a rock arm 160 on the rock shaft 157 and operating to turn these parts yieldingly in a direction for causing the secondary transfer finger to engage with the rear edge of the stave and move the same forwardly, and a rotating cam 161 arrangedon the cam shaft 73 and engaging with a rock arm 162 on the rock shaft 157 and operating to move these parts in the direction for carrying the secondary transfer finger backwardly out of the path of the staves preparatory to effecting the next forward movement of the same under the action of said spring, these parts being best shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and L1.

The feeding or propelling mechanism which operates to carry the staves PHS the secondary cutter head is constructed substantially like that employed for the same purpose in connection with the primary cutter mechanism and, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 6-9, the same comprises two abutment rollers or wheels 163, 164 arranged on one side of the path of the staves and on opposite sides of the center of the secondary cutter head, and two propelling or feeding wheels or rollers 165, 166 arranged on the opposite side of the path of the staves and on opposite sides of the center of the companion cutter head. The two secondary abutment rollers are mounted in fixed bearings 167 on the adjacent parts of the main frame while the two propelling rollers are mounted on the upper ends of two upright feeding shafts ,168, 169 which are journaled at their lower ends in fixed bearings 170, 171 on the main frame while their upper ends are ournaled in bearings 172, 173 which are movable toward and from the path of the staves. These two upper movable bearings are mounted on horizontally swinging presser arms or levers 174 which have their opposing inner ends pivoted on a pin 175 which is carried by a bracket 176 on the adjacent part of the main frame while their outer ends are connected with transverse presser rods 177 each of which is guided in an abutment lug 178 on the adjacent part of the frame and provided with adjusting screw nuts 179 adapted to engage with the outer sides of these abutment lugs and thereby limit the extent of movement of these propelling rollers toward the companion abutment rollers. The rock arms 174 are yieldingly pressed toward the path of the staves by springs 180 each of which surrounds one of the presser rods and bears at its outer end against the adjacent abutment lug 178 while its inner end bears against a screw nut 181 mounted on the companion presser rod and permitting of adjusting the tension of this spring.

The two upright shafts 168, 169 of the feeding mechanism of the secondary cutter are caused to turn in unison by means of a chain belt 182 passing around sprocket wheels 183, 1841 secured to the lower ends of these shafts and the same receive motion by means of a bevel gear pinion 185 secured to the opposite end of the second intermediate shaft 81 and meshing with abevel gear wheel 186 on the lower part of the rear shaft 169 which carries the rear propelling roller of the secondary cutter mechanism.

As the stave is being moved forwardly past the secondary cutter head by the secondary feed mechanism this stave is also pressed downwardly by this feed mechanism toward the cutter head 150 and the table sections 152, 153 so that the stave is grooved evenly and properly throughout the entire length of its lower edge. This is effected by arranging the table 152, 153, front abutment wheel 163 and feed wheel 165, so that the surface of this table and the plane of rotation of these wheels converge forwardly, whereby the stave is not only fed forwardly past the secondary cutter but also pressed downwardly against the same. The rear abutment wheel 164L and feed wheel 166, however, rotate in a plane parallel with the surface of the table 152, 153 or about a'Xes perpendicular thereto so that the same merely act to feed the stave forwardly past the secondary cutter. In order to permit of simplifying the construction of the machine the rear shaft 105, feed wheel 102 and abutment wheel 100 of the primary cutter feed mechanism and the front shaft 168, feed wheel 165 and abutment wheel 163 of the secondary cutter feed mechanism are arranged vertically, and the front shaft 101, feed wheel 101 and abutment wheel 99 of the primary cutter feeding mechanism and the rear shaft 169, feed roller 166 and abutment wheel 161 of the secondary cutter feed mechanism are inclined at the same angle relative to the companion shafts and rollers. This permits of driving both inclined shafts 101 and 169 by bevel gearing of simple construction. in the manner shown in the drawings and reducing the cost of manufacture. This arrangement of the surface of the table 152, 153 relatively to the secondary feeding rollers 165, 166 is obtained by mounting this table in an inclined position so that the same rises from its receiving end toward its delivery end, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

While the stave is approaching the secondary cutter mechanism the same is additionally pressed downwardly upon the table sections 152, 153 and the secondary cutter head by means of a pressing device which is constructed similar to the primary pressing device and which comprises an inclined presser arm 187 engaging its lower front end with the upper edge of the stave while its upper rear end is pivotally mounted on a pin, or pintle 188 fxedly mounted on the adjacent part of Jthe main frame, said presser arm being yieldingly turned in the direction for pressing same against the stave by means of a spring 189 surrounding the pivot pin 188 and bearing at one end against the presser arm and at its other end against this pivot pin, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

As the finished sta-ve issues from the secondary cutting mechanism the same is deposited upon a delivery support consisting of a pair of receiving shelves or ledges 190, 191 which are mounted on the adjacent parts of the main frame horizontally in line with the table sections 152, 153 of the secondary cutter mechanism, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 9. The rear one 191 of these delivery shelves is provided on its opposite sides with upright flanges 192 which flare or diverge toward the secondary cutter mechanism.

After being deposited upon these delivery shelves the stave is discharged from the machine by an ej ecting mechanism which preferably comprises a pair of curved guideways 193 extending upwardly and laterally from the upper delivery shelves 190, 191 and each formed by inner and outer concentric guide rods 191, 195 which are connected at their lower ends with the companion delivery shelf while their upper ends are disconnected to permit a stave to be carried from these shelves through these guideways and to the floor or other suitable place provided for that purpose. The staves are lifted from the shelves 190, 191 and carried upwardly through the discharge guideways by a pair of rock arms 196 which are mounted at their inner ends on a horizontal rock shaft 197 which is journaled on the main frame concentric with the discharge guideways while their outer ends are provided with discharge fingers 198 each of which is pivoted on one of the ejecting arms and is yieldingly held in a position in which its outer end projects lengthwise beyond its companion arm by means of a spring 199 connecting the inner end of the respective ejecting finger with an adjacent part of the companion ejector arm. During the backward movement of the ejector arms their fingers engage with a stave which has been deposited upon the delivery shelves and are deflected thereby until these fingers pass below this stave after which the same are again projected into a position below the staves by means of the springs 199. During the forward movement o-f the ejector arms their fingers engage with the underside of the stave resting upon the delivery shelves and carry the same upwardly through the discharge guideways and eject the finished stave from the machine. This rocking movement of the' shaft 197 is preferably produced by means of a connecting rod 200 which is connected at one end with a comparatively short crank arm 201 on the adjacent end of the rotary cam shaft 7 3 while its opposite end is connected with a comparatively long crank arm 202 on the companion end of the ejector shaft 197.

During the normal operation of this machine the various functions of feeding a stave by means of the chain belts 5, 6, transferring the same by means of the primary and secondary transferring devices, cutting the tongues and grooves on opposite sides of diiferent staves, reversing a stave edge for edge, reversing a stave end for end, and

ejecting a finished stave from the machine are taking place in their proper order so that a number of different staves are simultaneously being operated upon at different stages of the process for producing tongues and grooves on opposite longitudinal edges thereofe When starting the machine it is desirable to let the cutters acquire a high speed before setting the other mechanisms in operation and for this purpose the belt 78 running from the intermediate shaft 81 to theiirst intermediate shaft 77 is so mounted thatthe same may run looseV to 'permit the .cutters only to rotate, or tighten so as to cause the other mechanism to run with the cutters. The tightening of this belt is preferably effected by an elbow lever' 203 pivoted on the main fra-me, a presser' roller 204 mounted on one arm of this lever and adapted to be pressed against one stretch of the belt 78 and a hand lever 205 pvoted on the main frame and connected by a link 206 with the elbow lever 203 and adapted for operating the latter so as to loosen or tighten the belt 78.

Considering the work this machine performs the same is comparatively simple in construction, it is durable and efficient `in operation, the same has no delicate parts which are liable to get out of order and it is capable of performing the operation of tonguing and grooving the staves expeditiously and accurately, thereby enabling the cost of making barrels with interlocking staves to be materially reduced.

It has been found in practice that, in the absence of any provision to prevent it, the staves upon issuing from the primary and secondary cutter mechanisms are liable to hit the fingers 133, 198 of the carrying arms 132, 196 and either break so-mething or derange the machine. To avoid this, each of these carrying arms is so mounted that the same when in its normal position is rigid in the direction toward the companion cutter mechanism but is capable of yielding in the opposite direction. For this purpose each of the carrying arms, as shown in Fig. 15, is constructed of two sections 207 and 208 one of which 207 is secured to the companion roc-k shaft 1311 or 197 while the other 208 carries the companion shifting or carrying finger 133 or 198. Said arm sections 207 and 208 are pivotally connected by a pin 209 so that the finger carrying section 208 is capable of swinging relatively to the arm section 207 in a plane parallel with the axis of the shaft but at right angles to the rocking movement of this arm as 'a whole. The ou-ter or finger section 208 of the carrying arm is prevented from turning out of its normal position toward the companion cutter by means of a stop 210 formed on the inner or shaft section 207 of said arm. The outer arm section 208 is yieldingly held in engagement with the stop or shoulder 210, preferably by utilizing the resilience of the spring 134 or 199 of the respective arm which holds its carrying finger 133 or 198 yieldingly in its operative position. For this purpose each of the carrying fingers is arranged on the Same side of the outer arm section 208 on which the same engages the stop 210 of theinner arm section, and the spring 134: or 199 connects the tail of the respective finger with the inner arm section on the side thereof having the stop 210 so that this spring i-s arranged obliquely and not only4 tends to hold the carrying finger yieldingly in its operative position but also tends .to hold the outer carrying arm section yieldingly in its normal position against the stop 210. When a stave hits a carrying finger sidewise upon approaching the same from the. companion cutter this finger and the outer arm section upon which the same is mounted are deflected instead of being bent or broken and when these conflicting parts again clear each other the finger and outer arm section are returned by the spring to their normal position. By curving the outer end of each carrying finger forwardly the same is able, during its normal backward movement, to be deflected easily and clear the stave which the same is about to operatively engage, by reason of the moderate straining of the spring at this time, but during its forward movement this nger engages more firmly with .the stave and insures reliable forward carrying of the same because greater stretching of the spring would be necessary before the stave could deflect the finger backwardly sufficiently to escape from this finger.

I claim as my inventi'on:

1. A machine of the character described comprising a cutter mechanism, al supply mechanism for feeding the staves to be cut to the machine, a support which receives the staves crosswise from said supply mechanism, a retaining device operating to prevent the staves from rebounding from said support comprising a. rotary brush adapted to press the staves against said support, and a rotating arm carrying said brush, and means for transferring said staves endwise from said support to said cutter mechanism.

2. In a machine of the character described comprising means for propelling staves, and means reciprocable perpendicular to the direction of movement of said sta-ves while on said propelling means and rotatable in a plane parallel there-with for disengaging the staves from said propelling means, reversing the staves end for end and rengaging the same with said propelling means.

3. In a. machine of the character described comprising means for propelling staves, and means for disengaging the staves from said propelling means, reversing the staves end for end and rengaging the same with that part of the propelling'means from which the staves had been disengaged.

4. In a machine of the character described comprising means for propelling staves, and means for disengaging the staves from said propelling means, reversing the staves end for end and reengaging the same with said propelling means, comprising a carrier movable perpendicular to the line of movement of said propelling means for lifting a stave from said carrier and re-depositing the same thereon, and means for turning said carrier in a plane parallel with the plane of movement of said propelling means.

5. In a machine of the charactel` described comprising means for propelling staves, and means for disengaging the staves from said propelling means, reversing the staves end for end and rengaging the same With said propelling means comprising a carrier movable perpendicular to the line of movement of said propelling means for lifting a sta-ve from said carrier and re-depositing the same thereon, and means for turning said carrier forwardly in ay plane parallel With the direction of movement of said propelling means While the stave is Vlifted from the latter and backivardly in the same plane after the stave has been re-deposited on said propelling means.

6. In a machine of the character described comprising means for propelling staves, and means for disengaging the staves from said propelling means, reversing the staves end for end and rengaging the same with said propelling means, comprising a carrier movable perpendicular to the line of movement of said propelling means for lifting a stave from said carrier and re-depositing the same thereon, comprising a rock shaft on Which said carrier is mounted, bearings in which said shaft is journaled, and crank arms pivotally connected With said bearings and turning in Ya plane parallel with the direction of movement of said propelling means, and means for rocking said rock Shaft.

7 In a machine of the character described comprising means for propelling staves, and means for disengaging the staves from said propelling means, reversing the staves end for end and re'c'ngaging the same With said propelling means, comprising a carrier movable perpendicular to the line of movement of said propelling means for lifting a stave from said carrier and re-depositing the same thereon, comprising a rock shaft on which said carrier is mounted, bearings in which said shaft is journaled, crank arms pivotally connected With said bearings and turning in a plane parallel with the direction of movement of said propelling means, driven Wheels connected With said crank arms, a. driving Wheel, a belt passing around said driving and driven Wheels, and means for rocking said shaft.

8. In a machine of the character described comprising means for propelling staves, and means for disengaging the staves from said propelling means, reversing the staves end for end and rengaging the same With said propelling means, comprising a carrier movable perpendicular to the line of movement of said propelling means for lifting a stave from said carrier and re-depositing the same thereon, and means for turning said carrier in a plane parallel With the plane of movement of said propelling means, comprising a gear pinion operatively connected with said carrier, a bracket mounted on said shaft, a gear segment pivoted on said bracket, an actuating arm pivoted at one end on said segment, and a bracket on which the opposite end of said actua-ting arm is pivotally and slidably supported.

9. In a machine of the character described comprising means for propelling staves, and means for disengaging the staves from said propelling means, reversing the staves end for end and rengaging the same with said propelling means, comprising a carrier movable perpendicular to the line of movement of said propelling means for lifting a stave from said carrier and re-depositing the same thereon, comprising a rock shaft on which said carrier is mounted, bearings in which said shaft is journaled, crank arms pivotally connected with said bearings and turning in a plane parallel With the direction of movement of said propelling means, and means for rocking said rock shaft, comprising a gear pinion operatively connected with said carrier, a bracket mounted on said shaft, agear segment pivoted on said bracket, an actuating arm pivoted at one end on said segment, and a bracket on which the opposite end of said actuating arm is pivotally and slidably supported.

10. A machine of the character described comprising means for propelling staves in a crosswise position, and means constructed and operating to engage alternate staves on said propelling means, lift alternate staves therefrom, reverse the same end for end and re-deposit them on said propelling means.

l1. A machine of the character described comprising a primary cutter mechanism which operates to cut one edge of a stave While the latter is moving in one direction, a secondary cutter mechanism Which operates to cut the other longitudinal edge of the stave While the latter is moving in the opposite direction, a primary support which receives the stave from the discharge side of the primary cutter mechanism, a secondary support from which the staves are delivered to the receiving side of the secondary cutter mechanism, and means for carrying the stave from the primary support to the sec.

ondary support and reversing the same edge for edge during this movement.

l2. A machine of the character described comprising a primary cutter mechanism which operates to cut one edge of a stave While the latter is moving in one direction, a secondary cutter mechanism which operates to cut the other longitudinal edge of Aso the stave While the latter is moving in the opposite direction, a primary support Which receives the stave from the discharge side of the primary cutter mechanism, a secondary support from which the staves are delivered to the receiving side of the secondary cutter mechanism, and means for carrying the stave from the primary support to the secondary support and reversing the same edge for edge during this movement, comprising curved guideWays extending from said primary supports to said secondary supports, and means for carrying the stave from said primary support through said curved guideways to said secondary support.

13. A machine of the character described comprising a. primary cutter mechanism which operates to cut one edge of a stave while the latter is moving in one direction, a secondary cuttermechanism Which operates to cut the other longitudinal edge of the stave While the latter is moving in the opposite direction, a primary support which receives the stave from the discharge side of the primary cutter mechanism, a secondary support from which the staves are delivered to the receiving side of the secondary cutter mechanism, and means for carrying the stave from the primary support to the secondary support and reversing the same edge for edge during this movement, comprising curved gnidevvays extending from said primary supports to said secondary supports, and means for carrying the stave from said primary support through said curved guidewvays to said secondary support, comprising a rock shaft journaled concentric with said guidevvays, rock arms mounted at their inner ends on said shaft, and fingers arranged on the outer ends of said arms and adapted to engage with the lower edge of the stave while the latter is resting on the primary support and to engage the upper edge of the same While it rests on the secondary support.

14:. A machine of the character described comprising a primary cutter mechanism which operates to cut one edge of a stave While the latter is moving in one direction, a secondary cutter mechanism Which operates to cut the other longitudinal edge of the stave While the latter is moving inthe opposite direction, a primary support which receives the stave from the discharge side of the primary cutter mechanism, a secondary support from which the staves are delivered to the receiving side of the secondary cutter mechanism, and means for carrying the stave from the primary support to the seconda-ry support and reversing the same edge for edge d uring this movement, comprising curved guidevvays extending from said primary supports to said secondary supports, and means for carrying the stave from said primary support through said curved guidevvays to said secondary support, comprising a rock shaft journaled concentric with said guide'ways, rock arms mounted at their inner ends on said shaft, a carrying finger pivoted on each of said arms at the outer end thereof and adapted to engage its outer end with the stave, anda spring arranged betWeen each of said lingers and its arm and holding said finger' yieldingly in its operative position.

l5. A machine of the character described comprising a primary cutter mechanism which operates to cut one edge of a stave While the latter is moving in one direction, a secondary cutter mechanism Which opcrates to cut the other longitudinal edge of the stave While the latter is moving in the opposite direction, a primary support which receives the stave from the discharge side of the primary cutter mechanism, a secondary support from Which the staves are delivered to the receiving side of the secondary cutter mechanism, and means for carrying the stave from the primary support to the secondary support and reversing the same edge for edge during this movement, comprising curved guideways extending from said primary supports to said secondary supports, and means for carrying the stave from said primary support through said curved guideways to said secondary support, comprising a rock shaft journaled concentric with said guidevvays, rock arms mounted at their inner ends on said shaft, a carrying finger pivoted on each of said arms at the outer end thereof and adapted to engage its outer end with the stave, a spring arranged between each of said lingers and its arm and holding said finger yieldingly in its operative position, a rotary shaft, a comparatively short crank arm arranged on said rotary shaft, a comparatively long crank arm arranged on said rock shaft, and a connecting rod connecting said long and short crank arms.

16. A machine of the character described comprising a primary cutter mechanism which operates to cut one edge of a stave While the latter is moving in one direction, a secondary cutter mechanism which operates to cut the other longitudinal edge of the stave while the latter is moving in the opposite direction, a primary support Which receives the stave from the discharge side of the primary cutter mechanism, a secondary support from Which the staves are delivered to the receiving side of the secondary cutter mechanism, and means for carrying the stave from the prim-ary support to the secondary support and reversing the same edge for edge during this movement, comprising curved guidevvays extending from said primary supports to said secondary supports, means for carrying the stave from said primary support through said curved guidevvays to said secondary support, and means for shifting the stave lengthwise which is being carried crosswise through said guideways.

17. A machine of the character described comprising a primary cutter mechanism which operates to cut one edge of a stave Wnile the latter is moving in one direction, a secondary cutter mechanism Which operates to cut the other longitudinal edge of the stave ivhiie the latter is moving in the opposite direction, a primary support Which receives the stave from the discharge side of the primary cutter mechanism, a secondary support from Which the staves are delivered to the receiving side of the secondary cutter mechanism, and means for carrying the stave from the primary support to the secondary support and reversing the same edge for edge during this movement, comprising curved guidevvays extending from said primary supports to said secondary supports, means for carrying the stave from said primary support through said curved guideivays to said secondary support, and means for shifting the stave lengthwise which is being carried crosswise through said guideivays, comprising an inclined guide arranged adjacent to the discharge side of the primary cutter mechanism and the receiving side of the secondary cutter mechanism and adapted to engage With that end of the stave Which moves through the adjacent curved guideivay.

18. A machine of the character described comprising a primary cutter mechanism which operates to cut one edge of a stave While the latter is moving in one direction, a secondary cutter mechanism which operates to cut the other longitudinal edge of the stave While the latter is moving in the opposite direction, a primary support Which receives the Vstave from the discharge side of the primary cutter mechanism, a secondary support from which the staves are delivered to the receiving side of the secondary cutter mechanism, and means for carrying the stave from the primary support to the secondary support and reversing the same edge for edge during this movement, comprising curved guideways extending from said primary support-s to said secondary supports, means for carrying the stave from said primary support through said curved guideways to said secondary support, and means for preventing the stave from rebounding upon reaching the secondary support.

19. A machine of the character described comprising a primary cutter mechanism which operates to cut one edge of a stave While the latter is moving in one direction, a secondary cutter mechanism which operates to cut the other longitudinal edge of the stave While the latter is moving` in the opposite direction, a primary support Which receives the stave from the discharge side of the primary cutter mechanism, a secondary support from Which the staves are delivered to the receiving side of the secondary cutter mechanism, and means for carrying the stave from the primary support to the secondary support and reversing the same edge for edge during this movement, comprising curved guideways extending from said primary supports to said secondary supports, means for carrying the stave from said primary support through said curved guideways to said secondary support, and means forpreventing the stave from rebounding upon rcaching the secondary support, comprising a brush having inclined bristles which are deflected by said stave and engage the upper edge of the latter upon reaching the secondary support.

20. A machine of the character described comprising a supply mechanism for feeding the staves to be cut to the machine, a primary transferring device Which receives the staves from said supply mechanism and moves the same transversely therefrom, a primary cutter mechanism which receives the staves from said primary transferring device and cuts one of the longitudinal edges thereof, a reversing device which receives the staves from the primary cutter mechanism and reverses the same edge for edge, a secondary transfer device which receives the staves from said reversing device and moves the same transversely thereto, a secondary cutter mechanism which receives the staves from said secondary transferring device and cuts the other longitudinal edge thereof, and a discharging device which receives the staves from said secondary critter mechanism and delivers the same transversely to said cutter mechanism.

2l. A machine of the character described comprising a stave supplying device, means for reversing every alternate stave end for end While being propelled by said supplying device, a primary cutter to Which said staves are carried from said supplying device for cutting one longitudinal edge of the same, a reversing device which receives the staves from the primary cutter and reverses the same edge for edge, a secondary cutter to Which the staves are carried from said edge reversing device and which operates to cut the other longitudinal edge of the same, and a delivery device Which receives the staves from said secondary cutter.

22. A machine of the character described comprising a cutter mechanism for cutting staves, a support which receives the staves from the cutter mechanism, a curved guide leading from said support in a direction at right angles to the movement of the staves as they issue from said cutter mechanism,

and means for moving said staves from said support along said guide comprising a rock shaft arranged parallel with the direction of movement of said staves from the cutter mechanism to said support, a rock arm having an inner section secured to said shaft, an outer section pivoted to said inner section so as to be capable of swinging relatively to the inner arm section in a plane parallel with the axis of said shaft and at right angles to the rocking movement of this arm as a Whole, a spring for moving the outer arm section toward the cutter mechanism, a stop for limiting the movement of said outer arm section under the action of said spring beyond its normal position, and a finger mounted on said outer arm section and adapted to engage said staves.

Q3. A machine of the character described comprising a cutter mechanism for cutting staves, a support Which receives the staves from the cutter mechanism, a curved guide leading from said support in a direction at right angles to the movement of the staves as they issue from said cutter mechanism,

and means for moving said staves from said support along said guide comprising a rock shaft arranged parallel With the direction of movement of said staves from the cutter mechanism to said support, a rock arm having an inner section secured to said shaft, an outer section pivoted to said inner section so as to be capable of swinging relatively to the inner arm sectionin a plane parallel With the axis of said shaft and at right angles to the rocking movement of this arm as a Whole, a finger pivoted between its ends on said outer arm section and having an outer end adapted to engage said staves, a stop for limiting the movement of said outer arm section and finger toward said cutter mechanism beyond their normal position, and a spring connecting the inner end of said finger and the inner section of said arm and operating to hold the finger yieldingly in its operative position and said outer arm section yieldingly against said stop.

EDXVIN F. BEUGLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

